Less invasive treatments for endometrial cancer patients

Endometrial cancer is the most common gynaecological cancer in Australia. Endometrial cancer develops in the lining of the uterus and rates of this cancer are increasing, particularly in women under 40 years of age who are overweight or obese.

Endometrial cancer caught early is very curable. The current standard treatment is surgery (a total hysterectomy), however this results in young women losing their fertility. The feMMe trial aims to treat endometrial cancer less invasively through using a Mirena and metformin. A Mirena is an intra-uterine device commonly used as a contraceptive (the IUD) and metformin is an anti-diabetes drug which has been found to be a potentially powerful anti-cancer drug. In addition, the study will also assess the effect of a weight loss program on early stage endometrial cancer patients. QUT’s Improving Health Outcomes for People Professor Monika Janda is leading the lifestyle component of the feMMe trial.

For more information about the feMME trial contact improvinghealth@qut.edu.au